153 held in crackdown on beggars in capital

ISLAMABAD:

As many as 153 alms seekers and beggars were apprehended by the police in the federal capital as part of a crackdown on professional beggars and their handlers in the city.

A spokesperson for the Islamabad Police said that a special campaign has been launched to curb beggars at traffic signals, commercial centres, mosques, and imambargahs under special directions from Inspector General of Police Aamir Zulfiqar and DIG-Operations Waqaruddin Syed.

As part of the campaign, around 153 alms seekers were apprehended. DIG Syed directed to shift child beggars to shelters homes and protection centres so that they can be made responsible and productive members of society.

Moreover, specials squads have been constituted to curb the practice of begging. Moreover, the performance of these squads will be reviewed daily. He further directed strict action against those who force children and women into this business.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2020.